The Office of Recovery Community Affairs (ORCA)
Our goal is to inform people of our Initiatives, Services and Resources that are offered by DMHAS and DMHAS-funded agencies throughout the state.
ORCA endorses the ‘No Wrong Door’ motto for recovery and encourages people to find the pathway(s) that work best for them.
Elsa Ward, MS, CAC, Director, (860) 418-6989, Elsa.Ward@ct.gov
For issues regarding client rights and grievances contact William Pierce, 860-418-6933, william.pierce@ct.gov or go to Client Rights and Grievances.
DMHAS ORCA Initiative:
Your Voice Matters
Come and share your thoughts and suggestions on Peer Education, Training, and Credentialing. We look forward to hearing from all of you.
Peer Recovery Support Listening Sessions
Announcing Listening Session with the DMHAS Office of Recovery Community Affairs
Next Scheduled Listening Session Information Below:
Thursday, July 31st, 2025 - 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. - Virtual Session https://tinyurl.com/2vewcz6e
SAVE THE DATES - LISTENING SESSIONS
*Thursday, August 7th, 2025 - 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. - In-person Session - UConn Waterbury Campus, RM 333, 99 East Main St, Waterbury, CT
*Monday, August 11th, 2025 - 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. - In-person Session - Amplify Training Room, 178 Oakwood Drive, Glastonbury, CT
*Wednesday, August 13th, 2025, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. - In-Person Session - Burroughs Community Center, 2470 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport
Peer Certification Advisory Committee Meetings - Click date for recording of the meeting
- September 28, 2022
- October 12, 2022, Breakout: The Complaint Process, Breakout: Ethics, Principles & Guidelines, Breakout: The Grandparenting Process
- November 9, 2022
- December 14, 2022
- January 11, 2023
- February 8, 2023
- March 15, 2023
- February 5, 2025
Frequently Asked Questions/Answers (FAQ)(2022)
DMHAS-endorsed Peer Recovery Support training centers:
- CCAR Recovery Coach Training
- Advocacy Unlimited Recovery Support Specialist (RSS) Training
- Hartford Healthcare Recovery Support Specialist (RSS) Training
- New Life II Community Center Recovery Support Specialist (RSS) Training
Monthly Recovery Calendars:
Resources
- Advance Directives
- Gloria House Peer Respite
- NAMI - Out of the Abyss - Suicide Support Groups
- Pathfinders Association - Community Recovery Support Center
- Warm Lines
- The CT Hearing Voices Network
- TriCircle - SMART Recovery Groups (English and Spanish)
CT Peer & Family Organizations
- Advocacy Unlimited (AU)
- ArtReach
- Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR)
- National Alliance on Mental Illness-CT (NAMI-CT)
- New Life II
- Recovery Innovations for Pursuing Peer Leadership and Empowerment (RIPPLE)
- TriCircle - Family Support Groups for Loss and Grief